Masked machete gang attack ex-Premier League star in 1am raid on his £4m London home

A MASKED gang wielding machetes stormed the £4m London home of an ex-Premier League star in a terrifying midnight robbery, it has been revealed.

The former Tottenham Hotspur forward was punched in the face and threatened as the gang of six tried to steal designer watches.

The international footballer and his wife were at the Cricklewood home in North West London when items were stolen from their home on May 11.

A neighbour told The Evening Standard: “He told me that they were physically abused and threatened with machetes and horrible stuff like that.

“The raiders were in and out in five minutes … these people know what they’re doing. The family are fine now, they are a strong family but it wasn’t pleasant.”

Another neighbour of the star, who has lived in the area for more than 20 years, added: “They knew what watches he had. They went in and punched him in the face.”

The attack is feared to be the latest that sees gangs target wealthy homes in the exclusive areas of Hampstead, Belsize Park, Highgate and St John’s Wood.

And violence on London’s streets is continuing to spiral out of control, with 2018 the capital’s bloodiest year in almost a decade as the murder toll reached 132.

Watches are particularly being targeted as they are easy to snatch.

Earlier this year, robbers who targeted victims with luxury watches stolen one worth £700,000, a court heard. They will face retrial later this year.

Among their alleged loot was a Richard Mille RM 69 Erotic Tourbillon — one of only 30 made.

And a man was jailed in 2017 after trying to steal Premier League striker Andy Carroll’s £22,000 wristwatch in a drive-by robbery.

Jack O’Brien pulled alongside the striker’s car in North East London in the attempted robbery.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “Police are investigating an aggravated burglary in Childs Hill in Cricklewood, NW2 that took place on 11 May.

“Officers were called to a residential property at 1.14hrs to a report of multiple armed intruders forcing their way inside.

“Various items were stolen before the suspect left the scene.

“No arrests. Enquiries continue.”

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